The ABundant Lite – January 24, 2013

From the Rector

Today!

     In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus inaugurates his public ministry at the synagogue in hometown Nazareth. That is the story, but it is not quite right. The text tells us that Jesus preached in the synagogues, plural, and that everybody loved him. I prefer to think of the experience in Nazareth as the culmination of Jesus’ inaugural tour. What if Jesus had read the same passage from Isaiah at several places before he came “home” to his neighborhood? What if he gave the same initial sermon in several places?

     What if every time we think of Jesus talking about God’s kingdom, we hear those words from Isaiah – Good News to the poor, release to captives, sight to the blind, freedom from oppression, and the blessing of God’s favor? I think we would have heard the agenda of his entire ministry! Jesus thought so, too: “Today, this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

     As we read through Luke on most of the Sundays of this year, have this passage at hand. Compare it to the parables and teaching we encounter.

     But what about “today?”

     I think that Jesus’ concrete response to Isaiah is important. It tells us that Jesus is not preaching about Good News in the “sweet bye and bye.” This Good News starts today!

     Luke uses the word for “today” more than any other gospel. Brian Stoffregen writes that it is used at times of radical change. The angel greets the shepherds with the news: “To you is born this day … a savior.” From the cross, Jesus tells the thief: “Today, you will be with me in paradise.”

     Today is also the day when each of us are called to join Jesus in his mission. Don’t be confused. Today is not when the mission is done, it is when the mission is “fulfilled,” when it is engaged. In the church and in our lives, we need to hold the proclamation of Isaiah in front of us as a guide.

     How does my life connect with good news for the poor or release for people who are bound? How does the work of our Parish build the kingdom that Jesus inaugurated? I see some of that happening and there will be more.

     The Magi followed a star that was before them, and we are called to follow the vision of the Abundant Life of Jesus that he preached in Nazareth.

     Today!

     Join us as we celebrate Jesus’ inaugural sermon at worship and encourage one another with Isaiah’s vision of the Good News.

Fr. Andrew

Featured Scripture

     Luke 4:14-21

Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me

because he has anointed me

    to bring good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives

    and recovery of sight to the blind,

    to let the oppressed go free,

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat

down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Annual Congregational Meeting

ANNUAL MEETING

Sunday, January 27

at 9:15 am

Brief Ministry reports will be presented and we will be voting on the election of Vestry Members.  You may view the Nominees to the Vestry by clicking here.

The Desert Convocation:

Building a Community of Conversation

Our next Desert Convocation guest is Alice Parker — teacher, composer, conductor and long time collaborator with Robert Shaw. Ms Parker will lead an all-day workshop entitled “Finding the Heart of the Song” designed for all singers and musicians on Saturday, February 23rd, here at St. Paul’s. While singing spirituals, folk songs, sacred songs, and anthems, Ms Parker will explore the relationship between lyrics and melody. Reservations are required by Friday, February 15th. The cost for the Saturday workshop is $15 ($12 students) and the first 100 attendees to reserve will receive lunch as well.

On Sunday, February 24th, she will give the sermon at the 10:30am service, and from 2 – 4pm she will give a short talk and answer questions in a general session open to the public. Everyone is invited to share these special events with this iconic musical figure. Contact Nathan Ensign for reservations and more information at 760.320.7488 ext 225.

CONFIRMATION! Are you…?

• Are you worshiping with our community and are ready to take a further step into becoming an Episcopalian?
• Are you allready an Episcopalian and have been inactive and want to reconnect?
• Are you confirmed in another denomination and want to be received into the Episcopal Church?
• Are you interested in exploring your faith in the context of St. Paul’s community?

Then our Confirmation Program is for you!

This journey will lead you through your own spiritual life story as well as through the history, theology and worship of the Episcopal Church. It is an opportunity for you to grow spiritually in and through the community of faith at St. Paul’s. Following an orientation meeting on Thursday, February 21st, at 6:30pm in the Library, there will be weekly sessions on the Thursdays throughout Lent in preparation for Confirmation/Reception by Bishop Mathes on Sunday, April 21st.  Please RSVP your interest in attending by calling Susan at 760.320.7488 ext 227.

Bus Trip to the LA Science Museum

 
There will be a bus trip to the LA Science Museum to see Endeavor on Monday, March 18th. Tickets will be available on Sundays, February 3rd and 10th after both services. You may also buy tickets in the church office. We will leave from St Paul’s parking lot at 7:15am on a 48-passenger Cardiff fully-equipped luxury bus. After watching an IMAX 3D documentary on the repair of the Hubble telescope, we will see the Endeavor space ship. Lunch is on your own (the Museum has a number of restaurants), and you will have ample time to view other wonderful exhibits. We depart LA at 2:30 for the ride home. Complementary wine, soft drinks, and snacks will be served. $45 per person. Please join us! Sponsored by St. Paul’s Senior Ministry Committee.

A Death in the Parish

Funerals:

Jane Thompson

Funeral has been postponed due to family circumstances.

Don MacLean
Memorial Service

January 26th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s

O Lord, may they rest in peace and rise in glory. Amen.

Faith Building

“Sundays at 9:15”

In The Library

The Hebrew Scriptures – The Book of Genesis

01/27    NO CLASS – Annual Parish Meeting

02/03    Celtic Church/Tradition I, led by Rick Tinsley
02/10    Celtic Church/Tradition II, led by Rick Tinsley

“Tuesdays at 7”

In the Library

Faith & Reason Series: Anselm and Abelard, hosted by Jerry Di Noto & Craig Ewing
01/29   Abelard on Understanding Redemption: 

            “There, but for the Grace of ..

02/05  Aristotle Re-Discovered: Attractive or dangerous

           for the Church
02/12  Bonaventure: A wild journey of the mind—

           thinking God-like

Roy’s Desert Resource Center

Thanks For SOS Support

Parishioners at St. Paul in the Desert donated (through our SOS Fund) $2,000 for gift cards forChristmas and emergency needs of the homeless at Roy’s Desert Resource Center.  In addition, on-going donations to our SOS Fund for “sox and underwear” supported a $516 contribution for January needs.  That bought 116 pairs of sox, 82 T-shirts and 89 pairs of underwear!  All of this is in addition to donated items taken to the altar during Sunday services and deserts provided for our Monday desert program.

– – –

Volunteers from St. Paul in the Desert  serve dessert to 70-100 homeless men, women and children at Roy’s every Monday evening. We also deliver socks and underwear purchased and placed in the “ROY’S” basket. Roy’s clients, who are  striving to get back into the main stream, deeply appreciate your efforts.

“A Welcoming, Empowering, Supportive”

Ministry!

Our mission statement calls us to be “a welcoming, empowering and supportive community.” We are currently forming a new ministry at St Pau’s to support that mission.  Volunteers are needed from all three services to donate approximately 90 minutes of their time per month.  That time is split into 3-30 minute segments: 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after the service you attend, once per month, to support the Welcoming Table located in the Narthex and another 30 minutes a month assisting with name badge organization.  If you are able to lend a hand, please contact Mike Funke at 760.-409.0986 or mike.funke@yahoo.com!

Help us live our mission statement!

The 2013 Budget has been revised.  Please read and reflect upon it.

Your Input Welcome

Your Vestry would like your input on the 2013 Budget. The Draft Budget is being evaluated and a copy is available here. Share your comments here.

Announcements

Need to Print a Copy of

The Abundant Lite?

Click here to receive a Printer Friendly (text only) version.

ACT NOW!

Sign the Pledge to Break the Cycle of Violence. Click here.

Emergency Update:

Hurricane Sandy

Episcopal Relief and Development is helping to meet the need.

Your help is urgently needed.

Click here to donate.

A Newcomer’s Class

. . . is scheduled for Sunday, February 10th, at 7pm. This is your opportunity to discover more about St. Paul’s Church. Please contact Susan Jacob at 760.320.7488 ext 227 or susan.jacob@stpaulsps.org to register.

Special thanks

. . . to those who contributed baked goods for the reception for Bishop Robinson. It was a wonderful reception thanks to you. In addition, there was abundance enough to be used at the MLK reception.

Thank you!

The Episcopal Church Women’s Valentine’s Luncheon

. . . will take place on Thursday, February 7th, at 11:30am in the parish hall. Please bring something special to you, be it a favorite artifact, a picture, or a special food. After lunch we will share personal memories about what we have brought. We will also discuss plans for the Annual Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, March 2nd. Hostesses will beGini Bottomley, Ruth Kraus, Anna Secrist, and Barbara Villani. Please bring (except newcomers) a salad to serve 6 – 8, rolls, or dessert to share. Beverages are provided. For information, contact Barbara Villani at 760.322.3987.

Flowers in the church

Sign up in the binder on the entrance table in the Parish Hall for altar or narthex flowers for 2013.

We Need Volunteers

to assist with Name Badge organization.  Please contact Mike Funke at 760-409-0986 or: mike.funke@yahoo.com if you can help.

Holy Communion Service for

Local Care Facilities

Holy Communion will be hosted by the Nursing Home Ministry on the second Wednesday of each month at Windsor Court.  The next service will be February 13  at 10:15 am. Father Dick Merrill will preside and welcomes assistance from parishioners.

Come to Convention!

All people of the Diocese of San Diego are invited to attend the 39th Annual Diocesan Convention on Friday, February 8th, and Saturday, February 9th, at St. Margaret’s, Palm Desert. For information or to register, please visit:
www.edsd.org/diocon2013.
 

(Convention Volunteers Needed!  Help register guests for thje Gala Dinner from 5 – 6:30pm.  Call Susan at 760-320-7488 ext 227 to volunteer)

Ice Skating

. . . with the Family and Children’s Ministry on Sunday, January 27th, at 2:30pm at Cathedral City’s Ice Rink on Perez Avenue just east of Cathedral Canyon Boulevard. Cost including rentals is $9 a person. Wear warm clothes.   Adults are invited to come and be a kid again. Call Bonnie at 760.324.7949.

Daughters of the King

Daughters of the King will meet Tuesday, January 29th at 1:15pm in the “Condo”. Women who enjoy praying in a shared community of friendship in
Christ are invited to join us.

The DOK Annual Winter Tea is Sunday, February 17th, from 2- 4pm in Mission Hills. We ask for a donation of warm clothing for the Well in the Desert. Please join us to plan the tea and pray for our parish. Call Bonnie Stroock at 760.324.7949 for information.

Coffee Hour Celebration

Coffee Hour Hosts after the 10:30 service are Brian Wannop & Frank Kajfes.

Coffee Hour hosts are needed for the rest of 2013. To sign up to host a Coffee Hour, please use the binder on the entrance table in the Parish Hall. If you have questions, call Ray or Cheryl Kelley at 760.778.1725.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

. . . meets every Wednesday from 10 am – 1 pm in the Parish Hall. This peace-filled stitching circle gives members fulfillment and spiritual sustenance in creating prayer shawls to comfort those in need of prayer. For more details contact Valerie Ferguson at 760.799.5927, Barbara Hawkins Villani at 760.322.3987, or Audrey Spencermorris at 760.835.5506.
 

Report Sexual Misconduct.

As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe haven for everyone, please remember that our diocese values the tenet of our baptismal covenant to “respect the dignity of every human being.” Part of the way we live into that is to train people in the prevention of sexual misconduct and to encourage all to report any misconduct. All reported incidents are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced sexual misconduct of any kind, please contact the Rev. Canon Suzann V. Holding immediately: sholding@edsd.org

or 619-481-5452.

Bullies Not Welcome Here

At St. Paul in the Desert we want to welcome all worshipers to a place that is free of violence and bullying.

Physical, verbal or emotional violence against others or against oneself is not acceptable.

“It Gets Better” is a series of video messages to encourage Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender youth and let them know that they are loved as they are.

“A Blessing for Those Who Are Bullied” was written by the Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston, a Bishop of the Episcopal Church.

It is not enough to say “NO” to bullies. It is important to stand up for people and to provide resources for those who have been the targets.